Sheet piler



June v28, 1927. 1,634,196

L. JNEs SHEET PIL Filed Jan.17, 1927 lli Patented June 28, 1927.

LEWIS JONES, F NEW YORK, N. Y.

SHEET IPILEB.

Application :Eled January 17, 1927. Serial No. 161,662.

This invention relates to sheet pilers, and more particularly to an apparatus adapted to pile successive sheets of metal and the like after they are discharged from leveling devices, and other machines employed in the sheet metal industry.

As is well known, it is impossible to permit successive sheets from a leveling machine or the like to fall'frecly to the floor vinasmuch as they fall endwise and considerable damage `is done to the sheets. The piling of the sheets therefore lis ordinarily accom- Y sheets and support them until they ti plished manually.

" It is an important object of the present inventionto provide automatic means adapted to be placed at the outlet side of a leveling device or similar machine to engage the .have been u)mpletelyY discharged from e machine, and then to drop them by gravityl whereby they will fall to the floor in a substantiallyphorizontal position without Causing damage to bedone to the sheets.

A .further object is to provide an apparatus of the character referred to having means adapted to engage successive portions of a sheet 'as it is discharged from a leveling machine or the like and to travel with the sheet, and to support it until it is completely discharged from the machine, whereupon the sheet engaging means is adapted to release the sheet to Apermit it to drop to the floor in the manner referred to.

A further object is to provide an apparatus` of the above mentioned character wherein movement is imparted to the sheet engaging means wholly by movement of the sheet from the leveling device or other machine without employing an independent power source for moving the sheet engaging members. l

A further object is to provide means for automatically releasing successive Sheets from the engaging means as the sheets reach a predetermined position.

A further object is to provide pairs of spaced sprockets having endless chains passing thereabout and provided with sheet engaging members adapted to engage successive sheets as they are discharged from a leveling machine or the like, the lower ru'n of the chain being arranged in a horizontal plane at such an elevation' that the sheet engaging members carried by the chain are adapted to engage the sheet andhold it in its'plane of movement as it moves from the leveling machine until it is completely discharged therefrom, whereupon the sheet iS released to fall to the floor in the manner previously referred to.

A further object is to provide an apparatus of the character just referred to wherein the sheet engaging members are in the form of rubber or similar vacuum cups which are adapted to beV pressed a ainst the upper surface of each successive s eetmoving from the leveling device or other machine, and to admit/atmospheric pressure into the vacuumcups'after each successive sheet is completely discharged from the leveling machine.

- A further object is to provide a machine of the character mentioned provided with a supporting roller adapted toY engage the whereby suilicient pressure maybe brought 'to bear upon the vacuum cupsto exhaust air therefrom.-

Other objects and advantages of the in .vention will become apparent during the course of the following escription."

In the drawings I have shown one embodiment of the invention. In this showmg:

Figure 1 1s a side elevation of thellapparatus showing it in position adjacent a leveling device, Y

'Figure 2 is a section on line 2 2 of-Figure 1, v

Figure 3 is a fragmentary plan view of one of the chains and associated elements, and,

Figure 4 Figure 3.

Referring to the drawings the numeral 10 designates an ordinary leveling machine commonly employed in sheet metal mills for smoothing out sheets of metal after they is a detailsectionon line 4 4 of have been separated from the pack. The

leveling machine includes a plurality of leveling rolls 11 of the usual construct-ion.

A Referring to Figure 1, the numeral 12 des ignates a supporting frame as a whole preferably including a` pair of parallel channel irons 13. The supporting frame is adapted to be suspended from any suitable' overhead means by a suspension member 14, although it will be apparent that the device may be constructed as a permanent accessory for' use in connection with any suitable machine.

washer 27.

Shafts extend through the ends of'the supporting frame and are journalled in suitable bearings 16 carried thereby. Each of these l shafts is provided with a pair of spaced sprockets 17 as clearly shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Sprocket chains 18 'pass around the sprockets, and these chains are provided with means adapted to engage successive metal sheets 19 as the latter are dischargedfrom the leveling machine. As shown,`each of the chains is provided atspaced intervals with a link having a laterally extending bracket 20 to which is connected a longitudinally extending arm 21, these elements being secured together in any suitable manner as by'bolts 22. Referring to Figure 4, it will be noted that each arm 21 is provided in its end portion with an opening 23 in which is arranged a sleeve 24. ThisV Sleeve is provided with an annular flange 25 engaging one side of the arm 21. A vacuum cup 26 Vis arranged. atl thefopposite side of each arm and is spaced therefrom by a The sleeve 24 extends through the vacuum cup and is threaded at its end to receive a nut 28 whereby the vacuum cup may be secured to the arm and' sleeve'. The nut also is adaptedto clamp the adjacent portions of the vacuum cup agai t the washer 27 to form a leak-proof joint between the sleeve and cup. Each vacuum cup is flared outwardly adjacent its edgeas at 29 to permit it more readily to seat against` the metal sheets in a manner to be described.

Each sleeve 24 is provided with a relatively large. bore 30 which communicates with the associated'vacuum cup, while the opposite' end of the bore communicates witha restricted opening 31, the outer end of which is formed as a valve seat. 32 is arranged adjacent the end of the sleeve 24 and is pivoted thereto as at 33'. A valve washer or the like 34 is carried by thevalve and is adapted to engage the seat formed at the end of the passage 31. Each ofthe valves 32' is provided with an angular'y pro-- jecting operating member 35 pre erably formed integral therewith; and a spring4 36 is adapted to maintain the valve 1n cl position by 'engagingl the operating member 35. Wheels 36 are mounted on the ends of` the inner shaft 15 and are adapted to engage the sheets as they are discharged from 4the leveling machine, to effect rotation of the shaft 15 and to drive the chains 18.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the numeral 3 7 designates ,a pair of operating bars arlevers are connected by tie rods 41 pivotally connected thereto as at 42. The bell crank levers adjacent the outer end of the apparatus are provided with depending trip arms 43 which are arranged in the path of travel of the sheets 19 and are adapted to be engaged by the-.forward edges thereof, in a manner to be described.

A supporting roller 44 is mounted adjacent the leveling apparatus and is journalled in bearings 45 bolted to the leveling apparatus as at 46. It will be noted that the axis of the roller 44 is mounted in vertical alinement with the axis of the inner shaft 15.

l The operation of the apparatus is as fol ows:

As the successive sheets 19 are discharged from the leveling machine or other apparatus in connection with which the present device is employed, the sheets pass between the roller44 and wheels36. It will be ap parent that as each Successive bracket 20 reaches a point directly beneath the axis of the inner shaft 15, the associated Varm 21 will assumea perfectly horizontal position whereby the vacuum cup connected therewithy will seat flatly against the upper face of the Ysheet 19 passing therebeneath. The member 14 -is preferably pivotally connected to the element from which it is suspended, and is arranged centrally ofthe apparatus. `The inner end of the apparatus y is slightly heavier than the outer end whereby it tends to swing downwardly and is sup- Yported upon the roller 44 by means of the 100 wheels 36. The outer extremities of'the vacuum cups preferably extend slightly beyond the periphery of the wheel 36 whereby suiii'cient pressure will be exerted upon the vacuum cups to exhaust air therefrom as they pass over the top of the roller 44. This exhausting of the air takes place at a time when the valve of the associated cup is closed and accordingly the vacuum cup acts as supportingmeans for the sheets. The sheet thus continues to move in a perfectly horizontal position, being supported by a plurality of the vacuum cups carried by both chains 18.

It will be understood that the'leveling rollosed 'ers 11 are driven in the usual manner thus 115 positively' movin the successive sheets from the leveling mac ine, and this movement is utilized as the source of power which causes the chains 18 t0 travel and vthe'successive vacuum cups to'engage the sheets. As pre- 120 viously stated, the wheels 36 normally rest upon the .roller- 44, and-the inner end of the' .apparatus is elevated slightly as each suc- 36 and thus drive the inner shaft 15 and the chains. This movementcontinues as successive sheets are fed from the machine, and as each sheet reaches a point adjacent the outer" limit of its movement, the forward edge thereof contacts with the trip arms 43 thus swinging the associated bell crank levers,

and this movement is` transmitted to the other vbell crank levers through the rods 4l. This '30 and vacuum cups 26, thus releasing the sheets whereupon they drop in a pile on the floor beneath the apparatus. The successive sheets obviously are released in the same manner by swinging the trip lever to release air from the vacuum cups. As soon as the operating members are released from the bars 37, the valves which control the cups immediate] swing to closed position by the action o the springs 36, whereupon the cups are ready again to engage the upper faces of the sheets passing from the leveling machine. It will be apparent that movement of the lower run of the chain corresponds in speed to that of the successively discharged sheets whereby any frictional action between the sheets and the vacuum cups is eliminated and accordingly it will be apeV parent thatthe vacuum cups are not subjected to excessive wear. As these devices becomeworn after having been used over a long period of time they readily may be replaced by removing the nut 28. The lower ends of the vacuum cups are preferably flared outwardly as at 29 to permit them more readily to be moved into engagement with the sheets and to exhaust the air therefrom. The exhausting of the air isfacilitated by the opening of the valves 32 when pressure is brought to bear on the vacuum cups.

lVhile the apparatus has been described particularly in connection with leveling devices, it will be apparent that it may be utilized in connection with any other machine used in the sheet metal art which employs power means for discharging the sheets therefrom, whereby movement of the sheets themselves lmay be u-tilized for operating the sheet piler.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope ofthe subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. The combination with a sheet workmachine having power driven means ing ma-chine having power driven means for discharging sheets therefrom, of freely movable means adapted to engage and support the sheets and to be actuated solely by movement thereof as they are discharged from -the sheet working machine.`

machine having power driven means for discharging sheets therefrom, of freely movable means adapted to f engage successive sheets and to be actuated by movement thereof as f they are discharged from the sheet working machine, and means for releasing the sheets from said movable means after they have been completely discharged from the sheet working machine.

3. The combination with fa sheet working machine having power driven means for discharging sheets therefrom, of an endless chain adapted to derive its movement sole-y ly from sheets being discharged from the sheet Working machine, and means carried by said chain for engaging and supporting the sheets as they are discharged from the sheet working machine.

4. The combination with a sheet working machine having power driven means for discharging sheets therefrom, of an endless chain adapted to deri-ve its movement from sheets being discharged from the sheet working machine, means carried by said-chain for engaging and supporting the sheets as they are discharged from the sheet working machine, and means for releasing the sheets from said last named means as they are completely discharged from the sheet working machine. v

5. The combination with a'sheetworkifng or discharging sheets therefrom, of an endless chain adapted to derive its movement solely from sheets being discharged from the sheet working machine, and a plurality of spaced members carried by said chain and adapted to be successively brought into engagement with the sheets to support them as they are discharged from the sheet working machine.

'6. The combination with a sheet working machine having power driven means vfor discharging sheets therefrom', of an .endless chain adapted to derive its movement from sheets being discharge from th-e sheet working machine, a plurality of spaced members carried by said chain and adapted to be successively brought into engagement with .the sheets to su portthem as they are discharged from t esheet working machine, and means for simultaneously releasing all of said members in engagement with one of the sheets after the latter has been coinpletely discharged from the sheet working machine.

7. Apparatus constructed in accordance -with claim 6 wherein said releasing means 2. The combination with a sheet working.

. chine.

8.' Apparatus constructed in accordance with claim 6 wherein said releasing means comprises la trip lever arranged in the path of travel of the sheets, and connections between said trip lever and said sheet engaging members.

9. The combination with a sheet working machine having power driven means for discharging sheets therefrom, of an endless chain adapted to derive its movement solely from sheets being discharged from the machine, and a plurality of vacuum cups carried at spaced intervals by said chain and adapted to be successively brought intov engagement with sheets discharged from the lsheet working machine to act as supporting means for the sheets.

10. The combination with a sheet Working machine having power driven means for discharging sheets therefrom, of an endless chain adapted to derive its movement from sheets being discharged from the machine, a plurality ofvacuum cups carried at spaced intervals by said chain and adapted to be `successivel brought into engagement with sheets being discharged from the sheet working machine. to act as supportingmeans for the sheets, valves associated with said vacuum cups, and means for simultaneously opening all of the vacuum cups in engagement with one of said sheets as the latter reaches a position Wholly discharged from the sheet working machine.

11. The combination with a sheet working machine having Ower driven means for discharging-sheets t erefrom, of an endless chain adapted to derive v its movement from sheets being discharged from the machine, a plurality of vacuum cups carried at spaced intervals by said chain and adapted to be successively brought into engagement with sheets being discharged from the sheet working machine to act as supporting means for the sheets, valves associated with said vacuum cups, handles carried by said valves, and means for simultaneously operatin the handl-es of the valve associated wit all the vacuum cups in engagement with oneof said sheets as the latter reaches a position wholly discharged from the sheet working machine.

12v. Apparatus constructed in accordance with claim 11 wherein said valve handle operating means comprises an actuating' member, and means connected to said actuating member and arranged in the ath of travel of the sheets to be operated t ereby.

13. The combination with a sheet working machine having power driven means for discharging sheets therefrom, of a pair of parallel endless chains adapted to derive their movement from sheets Abeing discharged from the machine, al plurality of vacuum cups carried at spaced intervals by said chains and adapted to be brought into engagement with sheets being discharged from the sheet working machine to act as supporting means for the sheets, valves associated 4 with said vacuum cups, handles carrled by saidfvalves and arranged at an acute angle to the path oftravel of the sheets, an actuating bar arranged over the path of-travel of the valves carried by each of said chains,

and means controlled by the movement of the sheets for depressing said bars to open certain of the valves as successive sheets reach a predetermined posit-ion whollvdischarged from the sheet Working machine.

14. The combination with a sheet working machine having power driven means for discharging sheetstherefrom, of an endless chain, a pair ofv sprockets about which said chain passes, shafts connected to said Sprock- Y ets, one of said shafts being arranged adjacent the sheet working machinel a Wheel carried by said last mentioned shaft and adapted to contact with the sheets as they are being discharged from the machine to be rotated thereby, a lplurality of spaced members carried by said chain and adapted to be successively brought into engagement with the sheets to support them as they are discharged from the sheet Working machine, and means for simultaneously releasing certain of said members from successive sheets.

15. The combination set forthin claim 14:v

wherein a roller iS arranged beneath the plane of movement of the sheets and substantially in vertical alinement with the axis of said wheel. y

16. Apparatus of the character' described comprising a pair of sprockets, an endless chain passing around said sprockets, a plurality of spaced members carried by said chain and adapted to be successively brought into engagement with Asheets being discharged from a sheet working machine, and. means for simultaneously releasing certain of said members as successive sheets reach a point wholly discharged from the sheet working machme.

17. Apparatus of the character described comprising a supporting frame, a pair of shafts journalled insaid frame, a pair of sprockets carried by each of said shafts,

endless chains passing around said sprockets, the lower runs of said chalns being armovement of sheets being discharged from a sheet working machine, a plurality of ranged above and parallel to the -plane of 18. Apparatus constructed in accordance with claim 17 wherein said chains are provided With fixed arms carried by certain of the links of the chain and extending longitudinally with respect thereto, said vacuum cups being carried by said arms.

19, Apparatus constructed in accordance with claim 17 provided With ay Wheel carried by one of said shafts and adapted to con tactwvith successive sheets being discharged from the machine to be rotated by the sheets.

20. A conveyor'for sheet material comprising a pair of parallel shafts, a sprocket carried by each of said shafts, an endless chain passing around said sprockets, the lower run of said chain being arranged horizontally and parallel to the plane of sheets moved theretoward, a plurality of spaced arms secured at one end to said chain and ext-ending opposite to the direction of movement of the chain, a vacuum cup carried by the opposite end of each of said arms,

Aeach of said vacuum cups being adapted to` In testimony whereot` I affix myfsignature.

LEWIS JONES. 

